Apple close to deals on Pandora-like streaming service, hoping for summer launch

Apple may soon strike deals with two of the major record labels that would allow them to launch a Pandora-like radio service by this summer. While Apple seems to have made a deal that has them paying the labels less on a per-stream basis than Pandora, Apple’s deal also includes new ways of generating revenue, according to Paul Sloan of CNET.

That includes a quick way for consumers to buy a song they hear, potentially boosting download sales from iTunes, as well as a revenue share of new audio ads Apple is planning to add to the free service, according to sources.

Warner Music and Universal Music Group are apparently very close to agreements with Apple, though the music publishers and Sony Music Group still need to sign up. Apple wants to have all deals in place for a launch this summer, which may coincide with an announcement at WWDC in June, or even the supposed August launch of the iPhone 5s.

Would you use a Pandora-like service from Apple? Do you still purchase music through iTunes, or have you switched to something else, like Spotify or Rdio? Let us know below in the comments.

Can be a new revenue stream for apple with the subscription income. However people who use this function will not see anything new since third party app allow iTunes purchase. Apple wants to control the content and maybe an advantage will be integration with music match and access to iTunes exclusive content for listeners.

wrong topic. someone else had a similar comment about iphone 5s and something impacting them. they thought they were mentioning the iphone 5s as its official name, but it was meant to be plural, in referral to them.

But i still disagree, S has nothing to do with streaming or service or song.

Have tried Rdio and am currently with Spotify. It's worth £10 per month as it is very good. Offline playlists are the best thing - if Apple can bring this feature then it's game over. I have a feeling they won't.

+1. Rdio's offline listening feature is killer. I've been using the service for about a month now, and I feel it's worth the $14.99/mo CAD. Apple's service will have to have a seriously killer feature for me to switch.

Spotify and Pandora are very different. Again, what makes everyone so sure apple with do a streaming service better than these other companies who have been at it for years? How did that maps thing go for them.

Same. I ditched Pandora when I hit my first 40 hour month limit and have been using Spotify since then. I was able to get infinite trial periods (resetting every 2 days), but I've lost the ability to do so due to selling one of my devices. Shame. Can't wait for Apple to bring this home for us.

Pandora and free. Incredible in car integration especially with aftermarket Pioneer radios these days. OEM car manufacturers are even adopting Pandora lately on their car headunits. Until integration from other services happen I will wait.

I wouldn't hold my breath for Apple radio being great, at least initially. Look at the latest offering they have given us. Podcasts app, absolutely terrible, took almost an entire year to make the darn thing usable. Oh maps too... don't forget the maps....

All in all, an Apple radio service could truly be a perfect experience. iTunes alone has the proverbial lock on the music industry. Simply couple Apples vast iTunes library with a radio service and you have gold. Only time will truly tell.

The vast library belongs to the record labels, not apple. And it's basically the same library all the other services have access to. Still not sure what till make this service any different or better. Using the past as a guide, Apple's service will be more expensive and more limited than the competition but will still get millions more subscribers.

I hope it's got a competitive price point. I know liscensed music is expensive and all. But 10$+ for music, every month? That the price of an ipod mini, per year.

Speaking of which, wouldn't it be BRILLIANT if they sold iphones with subscriptions for 3-6 months. Get people hooked, while giving credit to a service that may really interest some. 16gb iphones already outsell everything else, they may as well make it a larger number. having streamed radio WILL decrease usage space.
I wonder how our data plans will respond..

I'm in Canada so can't use Spotify or Pandora, but can you selectively listen to whatever albums and songs you want, or just a genera like other streaming radio apps? Because unless you can choose exactly what you want, personally I wouldn't be interested. If it were like the Xbox music pass though that would be awesome.

That's what is funny about the whole thing, zune/Xbox music pass has been doing what people have been begging apple to do with iTunes to do for years. Subscription service, DL/stream exactly what you want all you want.

Wonder how they'll one up everybody. Could you actually take your playlists mobile for free? I do Spotify from a PC when I do & occasionally Pandora on my phone. Ooooooh good point about data...late model car with no aux so not much on the go.

I would rather see them utilize these efforts into their already used iTunes Match service. Until they use their efforts to better the services they already have, I see no reason to add something new. I feel this may be another "Ping-like" endeavor and we see how well that went. Expanding into other lanes is vital for business, I understand, however only if the company puts more than half-assed work into it. Apple needs to take this endeavor seriously, and they may be able to compete. Still would like a better iTunes Match...something that is paid for rather than a free streaming-Pandora-like app.

but its still not XBox Music, I love my Lumia 920 and I cant ever see me buying another iPhone. Oh and a yrs free subscription to Pandora for all Windows Phone 8 users... Apple really are falling behind here, which is sad because they were a really good company. that is until the untimely demise of the late and great Steve Jobs. He made apple what it was and now he's gone, Apple is falling behind majorly and rather than innovating new ideas, they are taking old ideas and putting an apple label on them :(

I have a feeling you won't be able to delete the app and I hate having multiple apps on my phone that do the same thing so unless they don't offer a free service or Pandora is WAY better I will probably make the switch.

Pandora was great in the beginning, but seems like the playlist of an artist can be way off some days. The forty hour limit a month can add up, and another paid service is not what I need. It is a great price, but I have been using Rhapsody before I even had Apple products. I like the idea of a playlist of the artist instead of a mix that can be way off. Just works better for me. If Apple did something similar with their large library of music at a cheaper price than Rhapsody, I would go for it.